A Michelin‑starred restaurant in Seoul has been summoned to court by prosecutors for serving ant‑topped dessert, a banned insect under South Korean law. The owner admits using up to 49,000 ants imported from the US and Thailand over four years, claiming the garnish was optional for diners.
South Korea approves only 10 insect species for consumption, such as grasshoppers and crickets; ants are excluded. Health authorities noted the imported ants carried up to 55 times more heavy metals than typical edible insects, raising safety concerns.
Prosecutors are seeking a one‑year jail term and a fine of 20 million Korean won (roughly US$13,500). The defences argue that 60% of guests chose the ant topping and that alternatives like fermented vinegar and edible flowers were offered.
The court will render a verdict on 2 September. The case underscores the growing global curiosity about insect‑based cuisine and the regulatory challenges that accompany it.
